How Many Tomato Plants Per 5 Gallon Bucket?

Container gardening has really taken off in recent years. Like many folks, I’ve found that growing veggies like tomatoes in buckets is a great option for my small yard.

So, If you’re tight on space, planting tomatoes in 5-gallon buckets is a great option. Buckets take up very little room but allow you to reap a bountiful harvest.

But how many tomato plants can you reasonably fit in a 5-gallon bucket?

The short answer is one tomato plant per 5-gallon bucket. This provides enough space for the tomatoes to thrive.

I’ve experimented with squeezing in two plants per bucket in the past. But quickly realized overcrowding tomatoes causes major issues like stunted growth, diseases, and low yields. Give each plant sufficient breathing room.

Now let’s look at why 5-gallon buckets work so well for tomatoes, and how to maximize your container tomato harvest…

Why Grow Tomatoes in Buckets?

As an avid gardener with limited space, I’ve found tomatoes are one of the best vegetables to grow in 5-gallon buckets. Here are some of the benefits:

• Portability – I can easily move the buckets to sunnier spots.
• Perfect for small spaces – Our tiny patio fits several buckets!
• Control soil quality – I fill them with rich potting mix and compost.
• Less bending and weeding – Growing tomatoes off the ground makes maintenance easier.
• Warmer soil, earlier harvests – The buckets heat up quicker in spring, speeding growth.

Tomatoes really thrive in 5-gallon containers. The large volume of soil supports healthy root systems. But don’t overcrowd them.

Choosing the Right Tomato Variety

You’ll have the best success with compact, determinate tomato varieties bred specifically for container gardening.

Some great options include:

• Bush Beefsteak: A compact determinate tomato that produces large, meaty, flavorful beefsteak-type fruits.
• Patio: A very compact determinate variety that yields clusters of small-medium sized tomatoes. Patio is an excellent choice for 5 gallon buckets.
• Tumbling Tom: Produces a profusion of small tomatoes on a plant with a cascading habit. Perfect for hanging buckets!
• Window Box Roma: A determinate Roma-type tomato bred for containers. Yields massive amounts of paste/sauce tomatoes.
• Micro Tom: A tiny determinate tomato that produces abundant bite-sized fruits. Micro Tom won’t take up much space in a 5 gallon bucket.

No matter which compact variety you choose, stick to just one plant per 5 gallon container. Crowding multiple plants will lead to poor health and stunted harvests.

Setting Up the 5 Gallon Bucket

Use food-grade buckets

For food safety, make sure to usefood-grade 5 gallon buckets, available at home improvement stores. Avoid reusing buckets that held chemicals, paint, or other toxic compounds.

Thoroughly clean and disinfect buckets before planting. A diluted bleach solution works well for disinfection.

Create drainage holes

Use a drill to create 5-10 drainage holes spaced a few inches apart on the bottom of the bucket. Good drainage is key to preventing rotten roots and disease.

Add gravel layer

Place 2-3 inches of gravel in the bottom of the bucket to promote drainage. Pea gravel or horticultural grit work great.

Use quality potting mix

Fill the bucket with a high quality potting mix fortified with nutrients. Avoid regular garden soil which can become dense and waterlogged.

Leave space for the plant

Leave 3-5 inches of space at the top of the potting mix for inserting your tomato plant. Don’t fill to the brim!

Planting Your Tomato

Gently remove your tomato plant from its nursery pot, being careful not to damage the root ball.

Create a hole in the potting mix to fit the root ball. The top of the root ball should sit just below the soil surface.

Backfill soil around the plant, pressing gently to stabilize it.

Ensure the planted tomato is sitting upright before finishing filling the bucket with potting mix to the correct level.

Caring for Your Tomato

Growing tomatoes in buckets requires diligent care for lush growth and abundant fruit:

• Water 1-2 times per day in hot weather so the soil stays evenly moist but not soggy. Check soil frequently to gauge water needs.
• Fertilize every 2 weeks with a diluted liquid tomato fertilizer to provide adequate nutrition.
• Prune suckers and excessive foliage to allow good air circulation and light exposure.
• Support heavy fruits using stakes and ties to prevent branches from snapping.
• Move bucket to follow sunlight throughout the day for optimal light exposure.
• Monitor for pests & diseases like hornworms, aphids, blight, etc. Take action promptly if issues arise.

With attentive care, your single tomato plant will flourish and reward you with kilos of fresh tomatoes!

Troubleshooting Issues with Tomatoes in 5 Gallon Buckets

Growing tomatoes in buckets can pose some challenges. Here are some common issues and how to address them:

• Leggy growth: Insufficient sunlight. Rotate bucket to allow more light exposure.
• Slow growth: Low temperatures. Move bucket to warmer location or use row cover to retain heat.
• Wilting: Under-watering. Check soil frequently and water when top few inches become dry.
• Yellow leaves: Nitrogen deficiency. Apply a tomato fertilizer according to label directions.
• Blossom drop: Stress from over-watering, under-watering, temperature extremes, or improper pollination. Try to alleviate stressors.
• Rotten roots: Poor drainage. Ensure bucket has drainage holes and gravel layer at bottom. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
• Pests: Hornworms, aphids, etc. Hand-pick pests, use neem oil, insecticidal soap, or other organic treatments.

Stay vigilant for any issues and take prompt action to get your tomato plant back to thriving. Container-grown plants depend on you for their care.

Maximizing Yields with Proper Care

With attentive watering, fertilizing, pest management and other care, a single indeterminate tomato can produce impressive yields in a 5 gallon bucket.

Here are some tips to maximize your tomato harvest:

• Choose an indeterminate variety suited for containers like ‘Celebrity’, ‘Beefsteak’, or ‘Sweet Million’.
• Use a tomato cage or stake for support – do not let vines sprawl.
• Pinch off suckers to channel energy into fruit production.
• Prune leaves around fruits to increase sun exposure.
• Hand pollinate flowers by shaking or swabbing with a brush daily.
• Move bucket to optimize sunlight exposure throughout the day.
• Maintain even soil moisture – check soil twice a day in summer.
• Fertilize every 2 weeks during the growing season for consistent nutrition.
• Harvest ripe tomatoes promptly to encourage further fruit production.

With one plant per 5 gallon bucket and attentive care, you can realistically get 15-25 full-sized tomatoes or even more from compact varieties!

Alternative Container Options

While 5-gallon buckets are ideal, I’ve had success using other containers too:

• 3-5 gallon grow bags – Allow for good root aeration and drainage.
• 7-15 gallon nursery pots – Provide extra room for bigger varieties.
• Wood barrels – More stable in wind. Line interiors with plastic sheeting.
• Galvanized troughs – Offer excellent depth for tomato roots.

No matter the container, stick to 1-2 plants per 5+ gallon pot. Smaller containers like 10” pots lack the needed soil capacity.

Wrapping up

One productive tomato per 5 gallon bucket is the perfect ratio. Overcrowding causes disease and limits fruit production. Pick compact varieties suited to containers, and focus on providing consistent moisture and nutrition.

For apartment dwellers and urban gardeners short on space, 5 gallon buckets offer a simple way to grow a substantial tomato crop on balconies and patios. The flavor of homegrown vine-ripened tomatoes makes it well worth the effort!